Threats from uranium mining in Meghalaya dispelled

Shillong, Feb 23 (UNI) Uranium Corporation of India Ltd (UCIL) Managing Director-cum-Chairman R Gupta today dispelled the possibility of ill-effects of radiation from uranium mining elsewhere in the country.

Addressing the inaugural function of the two-day Science Seminar on ''Policy of Self-reliance in Energy: Social needs, Environmental Protection and Challenges in the North East'', he said the apprehension of Meghalaya held no merit in the wake of proposed urnanium mining at Domiasiat in West Khasi Hills.

The seminar began at the North East Hills University (NEHU) Complex here.

He hoped uranium mining in Meghalaya would be further expanded for the betterment of the state.

NEHU Vice Chancellor Pramod Tandon in his inaugural speech as chief guest called for proper tapping of natural resources of the country like coal and oil for self-reliance and to meet the growing energy needs of the country, which were fast depleting.

Prof Tandon also called for exploiting the nuclear resources, hydro-electricity, herbal and medicinal plants of which the North East has abundance.

In this regard, he referred to the cultivation of Jatropha, which could be used to meet the bio-diesel needs. At the same time, there was a need to protect the environment of the North-East region, facing mass deforestation requiring the involvement of the people, he said.

Dr Krishna V Sainis, president, Hindi Vigyan Sahitya Parishad, and Director, Bio-Medical Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai, in his address, said the aim of such seminar was to popularise science through Hindi.

He said the BARC and the Parishad jointly conducts National Science competitions for students in Hindi, for which awards were given.

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